BENNINGTON — A Readsboro man is being held without bail after police said he pointed a gun at two people during a family argument on April 9.

Christopher M. Crockwell, 32, of Readsboro, was arraigned on April 10 in Bennington criminal court on a felony charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and a misdemeanor charge of reckless endangerment.

Police said Crockwell called them on April 9 to say that he had gotten into an altercation with two of his girlfriend’s relatives which he said started when he began to “roughhouse” with his girlfriend’s two children and the child of a friend.

Crockwell said the adults were upset because they believed he was “taking it too far” with the children. Crockwell said the argument became violent and he took out a pistol for self-protection.

However, he also admitted to drinking alcohol which violated a condition of his probation in Massachusetts.

Police said they spoke to two of the children on April 9 and both said Crockwell sometimes hurts them when he is “playing.” They said he sometimes won’t stop even when they tell him he is hurting them, according to the affidavit.

On Thursday, Bennington County Deputy State’s Attorney Jennifer Barrett argued that Crockwell should be held without bail because he possessed a gun and drank alcohol, which were violations of his conditions of probation. Barrett said the state believed Crockwell had demonstrated he was not willing to follow court orders.

Judge Cortland Corsones agreed and ordered Crockwell held without bail until the charges are resolved.